Prolonged face mask use might worsen dry eye symptoms

Scalinci, Sergio Zaccaria; Pacella, Elena; Battagliola, Edoardo Trovato

doi:10.4103/ijo.ijo_2641_20

Cited by 29 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 12 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…We found that there was a significant association of facemask usage with dry eye symptoms, with most participants reporting moderate and severe symptoms. These results agree with another study that found constant facemask use to increase ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores (Scalinci et al, 2021), and worsening symptoms among contact lens users leading to frequent contact lenses removal after using facemask (Martinez-Perez et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Facemask Associated Dry Eyes among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Alghamdi¹,

Mandoura²

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The use of facemasks is a key preventive measure against the COVID-19 pandemic. Wearing a facemask for long periods can cause maskassociated dry eyes. This study explored the prevalence of facemask-related dry eyes (MADE) and associated factors. Methods: This study was crosssectional, carried out on healthcare workers in Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics were performed. Chi-Square was used to evaluate the association between determinant and outcome variables. P-value < 0.05 was considered for significance. Regression analysis was applied to identify the contribution of independent factors to the outcomes. Results: Our study got a 91% response rate. The prevalence of mask-associated dry eyes was 70.9%. Participants aged 31-40 years had almost three times more likelihood to develop MADE (OR: 2.98; 95% CI: 1.493-5.947), and those aged 41-50 years had 2.54 odds of developing MADE (OR: 2.54; 95% CI: 1.090-5.924). Time spent on digital screens (> 4 hours) was 2.38 times more associated with MADE, while radiology staff, medical specialists, medical consultants and managerial team were less likely (OR=0.097, OR= 0.257, OR=0.222, and OR=0.290, respectively) of developing MADE. There was no statistically significant association of MADE with pre-existing eye problems (p>0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of mask-associated dry eyes was high.Increased age and screen time were significant independent factors associated with risks for MADE, while being a radiology staff and managerial team member, medical specialists, and medical consultants were associated with lower risks for MADE than other healthcare workers.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…DEDs prevalence in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, was found to be 32.1% (Alshammari et al, 2021). Risk factors for DED include age, inflammatory diseases, medications (antihistamines, contraceptives), lifestyle and environmental factors (Scalinci et al, 2021). Wearing facemasks has been mandated as one of the measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Facemask Associated Dry Eyes among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Alghamdi¹,

Mandoura²

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Effects are predominant among more than 6 hours of the digital device use [25]. In a similar study, the comparative OSDI figures taken twice during fall and spring have shown a significant increase in scores among dry eye patients after implementing mask wear, especially 6 hours and five days a week of mask wear [27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Potential combined ocular effects of mask wear and digital device usage during COVID-19 pandemic

Koduri¹,

Vankudoth²,

Gunaganti³

2022

ijhs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose: This study aimed to subjectively identify the potential combined visual effects of using face masks and digital devices during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methods: A survey was conducted using google forms through different social media platforms. The questions were framed about knowing the type of mask used, duration of mask wear, and digital device usage. In addition, OSDI and SPEED questionnaires were used. Results: Overall, 471 responses were analyzed; n=271 (57.5%) were females. Males tend to have more eye fatigue and difficulty in driving than females. There is no statistically significant association between dry eye symptoms or OSDI and SPEED scores among double mask users. N95 and cloth masks are closely associated with dry eye symptoms among single mask wearers. Among the combined effects of mask wear and digital device usage assessed, mask worn for at least three days, with less than 4 hours of duration and less than 4 hours of digital device usage, have ocular symptoms. Conclusion: Overall, mask usage negatively influences tear film stability, causing dry eye. Double mask wear is recommended to prevent mask-associated dry eye.

show abstract

“…Higher OSDI scores were commonly reported among continuous mask users. It is higher among women than men, higher with existing dry eye disease, and higher among 3 to 6 hours of mask wearers [16,17]. Reduced tear quantity after wearing respiratory PPE, including facemasks and respirators, is also seen.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does continuous wear of a face mask affect your tear film?

Gunaganti

Koduri

Mereddy

et al. 2022

ijhs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The study's objective was to assess the effect of type of mask wear and duration, including short-term wear of mask on TBUT. This was a cross-sectional, comparative study. A total of 90 subjects were categorized into three groups, each comprising 30 subjects. Either the groups were given a surgical, cloth, or N95 masks to wear. Baseline TBUT was collected after 30 mins without mask wear; subsequently after 1 min of mask wear and after every 30 mins for 3.5 hours among all the three groups. TBUT changes within the groups and between the groups were compared using Friedman ANOVA and the Kruskal Wallis test. TBUT was stable among N95 wearers for first 30 minutes and declined among cloth & surgical mask users. A continuous significant difference was evident only from 2 hours among surgical and cloth mask users and at 3.5 hours within N95 users. N95 wearers have a higher TBUT, and surgical having the least. Surgical mask wears significantly influence tear film stability, followed by cloth mask wear because of air leak from nose wire. TBUT is minimally affected by N95 wear.

show abstract

Prolonged face mask use might worsen dry eye symptoms

Cited by 29 publications

References 12 publications

Facemask Associated Dry Eyes among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Facemask Associated Dry Eyes among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Potential combined ocular effects of mask wear and digital device usage during COVID-19 pandemic

Does continuous wear of a face mask affect your tear film?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About